Portugal

At a Glance

Portugal is a small Atlantic country on the western edge of Europe with a reputation earned by its light, its seafood, its melancholic fado music, and a culture that opens gradually and rewards patience. Lisbon and Porto have both become celebrated destinations for their tiled architecture, hilly streets, and food and wine culture, while the Algarve coast and Alentejo interior offer very different pleasures. Those who connect with the Portuguese temperament of warmth, nostalgia, and good bread will find it hard to leave.

• Oldest national borders in Europe, unchanged since 1297.
• The world's biggest surfing waves are found here — Nazaré regularly exceeds 30 metres.
• Invented the Age of Exploration: Vasco da Gama, Magellan, and the first global trade routes.